Doctors’ bagful of woes

Over-worked and frustrated doctors are fed up with the working conditions, reports Jaya Shroff.

Over-worked and frustrated doctors are fed up with the working conditions. “GTB hospital is the worst hospital to work in. Since it caters mainly to the poor, it is given a step treatment. We don’t have basic medicines to treat patients,” said a resident doctor.

The medical superintendent, however, disagrees. "There is regular supply of medicines. Sometimes restocking takes some time. If we are informed in advance, there shall be no gaps in demand and supply,” he said.

Long working hoursMost doctors working the night shift were on afternoon OPD shift (from 9 am to 3 pm) and were again back at 6 pm for the night shift after a three-hour break. We shall all be on duty till 9 am the next morning,” said a senior resident doctor. There is a major shortage of paramedical staff. “At the time of the strike, we were promised added nurses and nursing orderlies but nothing has happened,” said Dr. Sharma.

Doctors’ rooms in sad stateDoctors work 12-13 hours at stretch but have no proper place to rest. “The doctors’ waiting rooms are ill lit, cold and dirty. The air conditioners do not work and the fans creak when switched on. During winter, we shiver and sweat it out in summer,” said a doctor. “Do you think we spend years getting an MBBS degree for this?” said another.